Boxes Full of Inspiration

When my creativity is slumped in the corner like something that's been shot, I just head to my boxes of papers . . .

Pre-painted and stamped papers and vintage book pages.

Stamped tissue papers -- almost transparent when glued.

Words!  Words!  Words!  I'm thinking about soliciting envelopes of words from my readers.
Anyone interested?

. . . and carry selected bits and pieces to my work table . . .

The drafting table where I do most of my work.

One of the foamboard sheets I use to test stamps and protect my table.
No, Hilton Hotels, you are not getting your door key back.

and hopefully, something soon comes of it.

Particularly Beautiful, 6 x 6", ©2011 Kim Hambric

This piece now on Etsy.

Hide

I'm going to be adding some of my older wallhangings on Etsy. Some (like this one) will be on SALE.

Hide, 27 x 24" ©2007 Kim Hambric

She has graced my wall for many years, now, it is time for her to move on.  Have a closer look on Etsy.

Back from Portland, OR

Ahhhh!  The city!

Ahhhhhh!  The beer!

Ahhhh!  The beer flavored gelato!

Yes, the musicians at the farmers' market will play for produce!

City of Bridges

City of Gardens

Taking time to smell the roses

Yes, I have been away from the blog for a while.  But with good reason.  A week long trip to Portland.  I've been trying to think of things that I did not like about the city, but nothing comes to mind.

What I did like (love):

1.   Cars that will stop and wait for you to cross the road, whether there is a crosswalk or not
2.   Beer.  Really good beer.
3.   Pinot Noir
4.   Bridges
5.   Street cars
6.   Trains
7.   Fantastic food
8.   Coffee
9.   Donut shops
10. Beer
11. Public art
12. Museums
13. Shops
14. Pinot Noir
15. Music - live - whether it's good or not
16. Hills and resultant views
17. Non-rude people (except you, gelato dork)
18. Gelato
19. Beer
20. Food carts
21. Pinot Noir
22. Architecture
23. Summer sun
24. Roses
25. Beer
26. Farmers' Markets
27. Local produce (I even ate peas)
28. Beer
29. The zoo
30. Pinot Noir

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I did not leave the city.  Except for one foray over the Hawthorne bridge, I did not leave the west side of the city.  That means there's so much more for me to see.  And consume.

Favorite line overheard at the farmers' market, made by a man holding a small wheel of cheese, "Did you inoculate the rind?"  Oh, they know their food in Portland.

I miss you, Portland.

If

If.

Such a wonderful word.

Street Corner Philosopher, 8 x 8" ©2011 Kim Hambric

Unfortunately, it is too rarely used.  People just do instead of thinking about what they are doing.  They do what they are told.

What would happen IF you stopped to think?


This piece now on Etsy.

A Collage is Born

I decided to take a photo of a recent collage every 2-3 stages of its progress.

Better Neighborhoods, 8 x 8" ©2011 Kim Hambric

I'm loving the fast fun of painting using a credit card.  Mistakes abound and are (mostly) covered up.  Spontaneity rules!!!

This piece is now available in my Etsy shop.

See a short interview with me on the incredible blog Cart Before the Horse.

Summer in the City

Me, 6 x 6" collage on board, ©2011 Kim Hambric

You, 6 x 6" collage on board, ©2011 Kim Hambric

It's finally hot enough here in central PA to put those window units in.

Also, it's time to put these cool and refreshing pieces in my Etsy shop. Thanks for all of your comments on my previous post.  Just a bit more tweaking to be done on the blog appearance and I (the hubby) will be done.

Blogageddon!!

I dared to change my blog.

It was quite dated, not reflecting my new (temporary???) detour to paper collage.

So, I thought I would sneak in and change it up a bit, ya know.  A new photo (hey that worked out).  And then . . . a complete mess.

I'll have to bring in the expert (the hubby).  I'll probably get a look.  A certain look.  One that says, "I'm proud of you for trying, but why, for one second, did you think that you would be able to do it.  It takes someone who knows what they're doing.  Oh.  (sigh)  I'll help.  After I deal with all the other things I need to deal with."

Has anyone else ever seen that look?

Hopefully this little fiasco can soon be corrected.

I'm so embarrassed.


I know, in the end, it's gonna look real spiffy.

Now I'm off (to fudge up something else, no doubt).